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The Homalopsinae (Oriental-Australian rear-fanged water snakes) is a small (34 species, 10 genera) colubrid subfamily notable for its ecological and morphological diversity. A molecular phylogenetic study of the homalopsines based on partial sequence of three mitchondrial genes (12S and 16S ribosomal RNA and cytochrome b) from 14 ingroup species, five Old and New World natricines and the Old World colubrid, Dinodon semicarinatus was conducted by Voris et al., 2002.  Homalopsine monophyly was strongly supported with respect to the outgroups included in our study. Cantoria violacea, a morphologically distinctive marine crustacean eater, formed the sister group to the rest of the homalopsines. Enhydris, the most species-rich genus in the subfamily, was polyphyletic with respect to other homalopsines although five morphologically and ecologically similar species formed a well-supported clade. The marine crustacean eaters Fordonia leucobalia and Gerarda prevostiana, also formed a novel clade. The evolutionary and ecological implications of this phylogeny for the Homalopsinae are discussed in more detail in the following publication:  Voris, H.K., M.E. Alfaro, D.R. Karns, G.L. Starnes, E. Thompson and J.C. Murphy. 2002. Phylogenetic relationships of the Oriental-Australian rear-fanged water snakes (Colubridae: Homalopsinae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences. Copeia 2002(4):906-915.A printable PDF version of this publication is available at our Reprints Request Website: http://www.fieldmuseum.org/research_collections/zoology/aandr_reprints.htm continue >> |
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